Tornado rips through NW Philadelphia, North Bend area in rural Neshoba County

Rescuers cutting way to hardest hit area

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 11:15 AM

The tornado that struck northwest Philadelphia and the Northbend community as it passed near Pearl River Resort Wednesday.

Northside Park was heavily damaged by Wednesday's tornado.

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A tornado that touched down in Northwest Philadelphia caused extensive damage to Northside Park and then tore through the Longino and North Bend communities in rural Neshoba County.

Extensive damages have been reported to property along Mississippi 21 north, which has been closed, and there were reports of people trapped in their homes. Rescue efforts have been hampered, however, by downed trees and power lines from the storm that hit town about 2:30 p.m.

Volunteer firefighters and county road crews have been cutting their way up Mississippi 21.

Multiple reports of sightings of the tornado were confirmed by the authorities and citizens as it moved from Pearl River Resort around the northwest part of Philadelphia.

The historic log cabin was destroyed at the park. A mobile home on nearby Road 612 was also destroyed.

Mississippi 21 was closed just north of Anthony's Syrup.

Emergency Management Director Jeff Mayo said a large number of houses were damaged or destroyed along Mississippi 21.

"There were a few minor injuries along 21," he said.

District 2 Supervisor Kevin Cumberland said several houses just north of Anthony's sustained extension damage.

Crews would be checking on occupants where houses sustained damage along the tornado's path, Mayo said.

At least six were killed in the state as a deadly storm pounded the region Tuesday night and Wednesday. Damages were reported in at least 40 counties.

The destruction prompted Gov. Haley Barbour to declare a state of emergency in 39 Mississippi counties and for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones or property in these devastating spring storms," Barbour said in a news release. "A large section of our state has been impacted, and our emergency responders are doing an excellent job in helping communities. This State of Emergency declaration will allow the state to offer aid to begin recovery efforts."